Anna Steiger

Anna Justine Steiger (born 13 February 1960)[1][2] is an American opera singer who has sung leading soprano and mezzo-soprano roles in British, and European, and North American opera houses.

Early life

Steiger was born in Los Angeles, California, the daughter of actors Claire Bloom and Rod Steiger.[3]

She trained with Noelle Barker at the Guildhall School of Music in London from 1977 to 1983 and then with Vera Rozsa at the National Opera Studio from 1985 to 1986. She won the Sir Peter Pears Award in 1982, the Richard Tauber Prize in 1984, and the John Christie Award in 1985.[1]

Career

Her professional debut was as Dorabella in Così fan tutte in 1984 with Opera 80. In 1986 she sang the title role in Monteverdi’s L'incoronazione di Poppea at Glyndebourne, and she has since returned to sing in many productions there in roles such as Concepcion in L'heure espagnole.[4] With Glyndebourne Touring Opera, she sang the role of Sashka in the 1987 world premiere of Nigel Osborne's The Electrification of the Soviet Union.[1]

From 1988, she sang at other opera houses in the UK, including, the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, with roles in Parsifal,[5] Jenůfa and The Knot Garden, and the English National Opera in The Makropulos Affair. Abroad, her roles have included Despina in Così fan tutte (Amsterdam, Stuttgart and Zurich), Zerlina in Don Giovanni (Seattle Opera, Stuttgart and Nancy), Governess in The Turn of the Screw (La Fenice), Jenny in Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny (Los Angeles Opera),[6] the Composer in Ariadne auf Naxos (Opera Theatre of St. Louis),[7] Concepcion (New York City Opera and Geneva),[8] Serpetta in La finta giardiniera (Frankfurt and Lausanne), and Damigella in L'incoronazione di Poppea at the Salzburg Festival. She has sung many times with Nicolaus Harnoncourt and in 1991 recorded with him the role of Despina with the Concertgebouw Orchestra for the Teldec/Warner Classics label.[9]

Mid-1990s – present

In the mid-1990s Steiger began concentrating on the mezzo-soprano repertoire and went on to sing:

Discography

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Slonimsky, Nicolas and Kuhn, Laura (eds.) (2001). "Steiger, Anna", Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians, 10th Edition, Volume 6. Accessed online via Highbeam, 12 July 2012.
  2. ↑ California Births, 1905 - 1995, Anna J. Steiger
  3. ↑ Severo, Richard (10 July 2002). "Rod Steiger, 77, Oscar-Winning Character Actor Known for His Intensity and Versatility, Dies". New York Times. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  4. ↑ Glyndebourne Opera performance database: L'Incoronazione Di Poppea, 17 July 1986 and L'Heure Espagnole, 21 October 1987. See the database for the complete list of her roles and performances. Retrieved 11 July 2012
  5. ↑ Associated Press (30 January 1988). "Anna Steiger makes her opera debut". The Lewiston Journal. Note "opera debut" in the article title refers to her Covent Garden debut where she appeared as one of the Flower Maidens in Parsifal. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  6. ↑ Rockwell, John (20 September 1989). "Review: Brecht-Weill 'Mahagonny,' Set in 20's Hollywood. New York Times. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  7. ↑ Wierzbicki, James (15 June 1991). "'Ariadne's' Music Transcends Confusion". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved 11 July 2012 (subscription required).
  8. ↑ Rockwell, John (12 November 1990). "Ravel and Sendak, Affectionately Paired". New York Times. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  9. ↑ Blyth, Alan (November 1991). "Review: Così fan tutte, Teldec/Warner Classics", Gramophone, p. 158. Retrieved 11 July 2012
  10. ↑ Stevens, David (29 March 2000). "Nino Rota, Chasing the Straw Hat". New York Times. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  11. ↑ De Nederlandse Opera. Lucia di Lammermoor. Retrieved 11 July 2012 (Dutch)